Wednesday, July 19, 2006

So everybody is talking about this website 'The Shape of a Mother'. And with good reason. It is simply amazing. Mamas everywhere coming out of the woodwork to post pictures of themselves. Real pictures of real Mamas. Pictures of the bits of ourselves that some of us aren't always so proud of, especially after pregnancy. Our stretch marks, our saggy tummies and um... other saggy parts. And why? Because it's about time. About time that we all realize what normal really looks like.

A normal postpartum body that hasn't had a personal trainer, a personal chef and a personal shopper to make it look good. A body that has grown another human being (or human beings) inside of it's womb. A body that created nourishment for that life and was responsible for it's growth and well being. A body that has suffered through all the stresses of pregnancy, childbirth, sleep deprivation and hormonal surges. I am filled with wonder at how we survive this process at all.

But we do survive, afterwards we often forget about all the amazing things we and our bodies accomplished and focus on the negative. My skin is stretched, I have a scar, my nipples look funny, I'm not thin enough. I know because I've been there. Okay, I am there. But I want to change my perspective.

'The Shape of a Mother' is helping me to do that. Looking at all the photos that so many courageous Mamas have sent in makes me want to do it to. It makes me aspire to be proud of my body, the way that it is. With all its badges of motherhood. I had never felt so comfortable in my own skin as I did during my pregnancy so why should it be any different afterwards? This is why I've decide to do it. Jump in. I'm posting my pictures here to be linked at 'The Shape of a Mother'.

So here goes, my current postpartum photos. I have my 'Super Mama' PJ's on to help me to be brave. It was difficult to smile but Peter told me to.

I encourage all other Mamas to do it too. It's empowering to be a part of something so influential. The reason I started this blog was to help any other Mamas who might be going through the same stuff I was/am. I'm posting these pictures for the same reason. We should be proud of who we are and how we look. Because as Mamas we are the biggest Superheros there are!

15 comments:

Ahhh, Mama D! Beautiful and brave is my Mama D... I am working up to posting just a plain old ordinary picture of myself. I was gonna yesterday, but I went looking for one and realised that there are NO pictures of me since I had Pearl. None, and that's just wrong.

Mama D-aringYou are a sweet spirit, very brave and like so many women (me too) who have curves that come with baby. I hide from what I think is not perfect but continue to pray that I see myself as God sees me. You are beautiful!

This is what I love so much about your blog. Your are not afraid to keep it real. This is a beautiful post and I admire you so much. You are simply beautiful!

I too have forgotten all the amazing things my body has done. I see only the negative and I've been obsessed with correcting it. I've spent a lot of time at the pool lately and keep seeing all these tight tummies. I put a bikini on (my MIL gave it to me because it didn't fit her - i've never worn it either) as a joke last night. After seeing all these pictures maybe I'll be brave enough to wear it. Then again..maybe not. :)

Thank you for showing me that the healing process is a beautiful journey, instead of what mainstream culture views as something unsightly.

I continue to battle many postpartum issues, even past two years from the birth of my last son (I have a 2 year old and 4 year old). I recovered well and mostly good spirited after the c-section birth of my first son, but after my second, my life seemed to have flipped upside down. My hormones seem to be at the same level as puberty, depression is a never-ending battle, energy is usually a lacking factor, and the weight just doesn't want to come off like it did after my first pregnancy.

Healing is happening in my life, though, even if it seems much slower this time around. God has blessed me with two beautiful boys, and a journey of healing that will leave me with a new perspective on my hope, faith and life.